Even after more than a decade, Metro 2033 remains a fan favorite, enjoying a resurgence in popularity thanks to the VR exclusive, Metro Awakening. This entry, the beginning of Artyom's journey, primarily unfolds within Moscow's subterranean tunnels. Your adventure begins in the Cursed Station (or Turgenevskaya, as it's known in the books and real world), where you'll first encounter anomalies. This leads to a challenging mission where Artyom and Khan aid survivors fending off relentless nosalis attacks.
This mission can be tricky due to unclear objectives and the station's layout. After witnessing an anomaly decimate a nosalis horde, Khan uses a railcar to reach the next station, initiating the "Cursed" mission. Exiting the railcar, follow Khan to the defenders guarding the barricaded escalators.
Locating the Bomb
The defenders explain that an explosives crew attempted to collapse the tunnel to stop the nosalis advance, but they vanished without detonating the bomb. Your task is to find and detonate it. Expect constant nosalis attacks throughout the mission. If overwhelmed, retreat to the defenders for support – you'll likely need to do this at least once while searching.
The bomb is at the far end of the right-hand tunnel. Avoid the ghostly shadows directly ahead; they'll damage you. Once you have the bomb, either proceed to the adjacent tunnel or retreat if attacked.
Destroying the Tunnel
To detonate the bomb, enter the left-hand tunnel (from the defenders' perspective) and wait for the cutscene. Artyom automatically plants and lights the fuse; your job is to escape the blast. Run far away to avoid being killed.
Alternatively, a grenade or pipe bomb in the same tunnel area will also cause a collapse. Remember, even with this tunnel destroyed, nosalises will still infiltrate from other routes, so stay vigilant.
Destroying the Airlock
After destroying the tunnel, secure the station by collapsing the airlock mentioned by Khan. Ascend the stairs on the right of the main platform to the torchlit area (ignore the nosalises). Interact with the support columns to plant a pipe bomb; evacuate immediately after lighting the fuse.
With both entrances sealed, follow Khan to a shrine room. After a brief conversation, descend through a floor panel to begin the next mission, "Armory."
